Hakon considered Andros' offer. A second pair of hands to tend camp and find information wasn't valueless. It was not worth a sunderscrap, though, and one that Ajax had stolen, besides.
"He'll need to do more than stir a stewpot and carry a backpack to be useful to me. He does what I say, up to and including engaging with a target or gathering information on a target, and you have yourself a deal. In return, I swear I will not let harm come to him. If a sword or arrow is intended for him, I will shield him. Should I err and he become injured, I will heal him, using my own vitessence if necessary to make sure he is whole again."
"If this deal is acceptable, he can have the scrap back on two conditions. One, and this is non-negotiable: he needs to keep that thing hidden from sight. It is very obvious to any Sunderer that it's possessed by someone who does not understand the use of it, and if they learn its provenance, he could be in danger. You don't want to make enemies with the sorts of people that...." he trailed off, frustrated.
He didn't want to sound like he was threatening Ajax.
"He has nothing to fear from me," Hakon clarified, "but others, if they see it, may try to take it from him. And if they learn about how he acquired it, he could be jailed or even executed. So please, Lad, for your own sake if no one else's, keep it tucked in your boot or in your small clothes or the like if you must have it on you."
Ajax had an odd expression non his face that Hakon couldn't quite read, but he didn't immediately object or look defiant, so Hakon moved on to his next demand.
"He helps me get my seasonal quota and only then is he released from service. Once I have four scraps, he's free to do as he will."
On that account, Ajax objected. "You think we can take down four rogue mages in six weeks?"
Hakon grinned wolfishly. "I do like to keep busy."
Ajax did not return the enthusiasm. "Fine," he said, offering his hand.
Hakon shook it, and was catapulted back to the first time they'd made one another's acquaintance, how spellbound he'd been by Ajax at that time. He'd been foolish. He'd let his guard down and the boy had robbed him. The warmth he felt was quelled by an inner chill. He would not let it happen again.
He deposited the necklace in Ajax's hand. "Your ill-gotten gains, Sir."
